Staff & Instructors

Administrative Team

Avery Wan

Principal & Operating Director

Graduated from the Sichuan Conservatory of Music. She has taught music to student of various ages and experience for over
10 years. In 2010, Ms. Wan founded the Little Star Music Education (the professors of Washington Cathay Future Center).
This program offers students the opportunity to sing, act, and dance. She is also a choir director and holds both
group lessons and private lessons, providing her students with the professional vocal training and performance skills
needed to help them to reach their full potential. Within a few years, the program has grown to include over a hundred
students, many of whom have gone on to perform in a variety of different concerts, performances, and competitions
within the Washington metropolitan area. Aside from Washington Cathay Future Center, Ms. Wan has been involved in
many successful musical events and competitions.

Regina Wei

Program Manager

Yuanjin Wei is an illustrator and Chinese free hand brush painting artist based in Washington DC metro area. She especially
enjoys creating illustrations that reveal humorous and ironic scenes from everyday life. In creating her images,
she combine her training in traditional Chinese illustration with the modern styles to pay respect to her traditional
heritage, and also experiment with techniques that allow her to explore without constraints.

Melissa Eisen

Afterschool Manager

Melissa Eisen is an independent design professional that focuses on fine art, branding, and visual storytelling. She received
a BA in Fine Arts and Art Education from University of Maryland, College Park and has a Maryland Teaching License.
After university, she taught art in Maryland public schools for several years before exploring other aspects of the
professional art world including design projects and art shows in the DC area. In addition to creating from the recesses
of her own mind, Melissa likes to bring other people's visions to reality through commissioned pieces, collaborative
works, and education. She worked with individuals ranging in age from 4 to 90 on a variety of creative and professional
endeavors. To learn more about Melissa and her work you can visit
www.meleisen.com or follow her facebook page, www.facebook.com/melissaeisen

Arts Program

Alex Liu

Teacher

Neither/Or Hoffberger School of Painting Fall Show­­––MICA Lazarus Center Gallery
2015 Chinese Department of Painting Graduate Show––LAFA Gallery 06/15/2015
Water and Ink Experimental Work Show––LAFA Gallery 2014
Participated in the Traditional Chinese Painting—National College Student Flowers and Birds Painting Show held by
Central Academy of Fine Arts in 2014.
Participated in the National Group Exhibitions of Nine Cities in 2014.
Presented in Chinese Young Artists Works Exhibition in the Gallery of Huangshang Morning Paper in 2014.
Organized the Small-Size Art Exhibition held in Lunxun Academy of Fine Arts in 2013.
Organized and participated in the Art Activity of Returning—In a Visual Way in Lunxun Academy of Fine Arts in December
2012.
Organized and participated in “Zhixing Ink Painting Show” in 2010.
Organized and participated in “Art --- Traditional Chinese Painting Show” in 2009.
Took part in Wenchuan Earthquake Donation Activity in 2008.

Arnetia Walker

Teacher

ARNETIA WALKER aka “Ms. Neesha” was 16 and attending New York’s prestigious High School of the Performing Arts when
she was cast in her Broadway debut, The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window by Lorraine Hansberry. She went on to standby
for Stephanie Mills as Dorothy in the original Broadway run of The Wiz. She spent five years as a “Dreamgirl” in
the role of Lorrell Robinson, and eventually achieved the distinction of being the only woman to have played all
three of the show’s principal characters. Her films include For Love of the Game, Balloon Farm, and College Road
Trip. She also appeared in the HBO movie Cast a Deadly Spell. She has worked extensively in television, including
as a series regular in The Big House and Nurses, and as a guest star on Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Everybody Loves
Raymond, City of Angels, Touched by an Angel, The Steve Harvey Show, Just Shoot Me, and NYPD Blue. She currently
teaches drama and musical theatre to students of all ages in the DMV area.

Laura Boyer

Teacher

Laura Boyer is a dancer, actress and choreographer with over twenty years of experience. She graduate Cum Laude from Temple
University in Philadelphia with a Bachelor's of Arts in Theatre and Dance, during which time she co-founded and ran
InMotion Dance Ensemble. She has performed professionally throughout the country as a dancer, actress and singer.
Miss Boyer has worked with companies such as BalletX, The Walnut Street Theatre, Candlelight Theater, Bootless Stage
Works, Wildwood Summer Theatre, 11th Hour Theatre, Sitar Arts Center and All That Jazz Studio.

Edward Victor

Teacher

Edward Victor is a Puerto Rican artist born in New York. He has a BFA from Puerto Rico School of Fine Arts and is currently
a MFA student at Maryland Institute College of Arts (MICA). He has been an art teacher for 13 years. During this
time, he has worked for The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and The Puerto Rico Department of Education. He was
also director of the Walter Otero Contemporary Art gallery (San Juan, Puerto Rico). He has exhibited his work in
various locations including, The Capitol of Puerto Rico, San Juan Museum, Casa Blanca Museum and Sacred Heart University
Gallery.

Latechia G. Mitchell

Teacher

Latechia Mitchell began her work with children in the fall of 1998. She has worked for many years in the areas of creative
and academic disciplines. While Ms. Mitchell has been formally educated in the areas of psychology and education,
she has had many artistic work experiences that have helped hone her imaginative energies. She is a certified English
teacher by the MSDE in grades 6-12, and also holds an advanced professional certificate in elementary education.
During the day, Ms. Mitchell works for MCPS at S. Christa McAuliffe ES.

In her varied work throughout the years with children and teens, she has been able to develop a creative muscle that she
continues to stretch and train. Ms. Mitchell has learned and taught black and white photography, newspaper, drama,
visual art, dance, and supported students in their academic pursuits throughout her professional experiences. She
has directed plays, written music, and choreographed dance for students for over 10 years in camps and classes.

Highlights of her work with students include creating an environmental club that continues at the CCCS-Trinidad Campus in
Northeast DC, facilitating students in Fairfax County to retell and write their own version of the Firebird Suite,
and directing her 2nd grade class in a reader’s theatre production of Cendrion, a Caribbean Cinderella. Currently,
Ms. Mitchell teaches Funny Songs and Hands on Art here at Cathay Future. She is excited to be a part of the visionary
staff that offers classes here to students.

Briana V. William

Teacher

Briana V. William is a Dancer, Performer, Choreographer. She graduated from Towson University in Baltimore, MD a Bachelors
of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. Briana began her love for dance at the age of 3 at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan
under the direction of Debby Yuile. Growing up and developing her love of dance with many different Dance Studios
in the D.C. Maryland and Virginia Area. During her time at Towson University as a Dance Major Briana has both performed
and choreographed, taking the lead in “Bill T. Jones', Continuous Replay” as the clock, Alvin Ailey Pieces “House
of the Rising Sun” and “Escapades” as well as Robert Battle's Battlefield as a Quartet member and ensemble. Upon
graduating from Towson with her BFA in Dance performance from Towson University, she has performed and taught at
showcases, workshops, amusements parks, you name it. Briana is continuing her ventures abroad and on the high seas
with Carnival Cruise Lines and has made a stop at Washington Cathay Future Center to create a Top-Tier Dance Program.

Katie Nerud

Katie Nerud is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland where she received her Bachelors Degree in Dance with an
area of emphasis in Dance Education. During this time she was casted in dances that were choreographed by Undergraduate
students, Graduate students, and Faculty. She was also casted in a piece by artist in residence Monstah Black.
She is continuing to study with the University of Maryland Graduate School where she will receive a Masters Degree
in Education and a Masters Certification in Dance Education. She is also continuing her professional career
by being a guest artist in another Graduate students thesis project and dancing professionally with Light Switch
Dance Theatre. Katie hopes to educate her students with a new movement vocabulary, knowledge of their body,
and an outlet for their artistry.

She is excited to be returning to Washington Cathay to instruct its dynamic students in a variety of Communications courses.

STEM Teacher

Tyler Brooks

Teacher

Tyler Brooks has served as a high school technology and engineering instructor forthe past nine years. Recently he has assumed
the roles of Technology EducationTeacher, Mentor and Coach for the FTC Team 6406 and CHS Racers Electrathon Race
Team. His educational background includes a Bachelor in Science in Graphics Communications from North Carolina Agricultural
and Technical State University.He is a recognized National Board Certified Teacher as well as a certified Project
Lead the Way engineering instructor.

Luke Ikard

Teacher

Luke Ikard is a multidisciplinary artist based in Baltimore, MD, where he maintains an active woodworking and multimedia
studio art practice. Utilizing his knowledge of sound and emerging technologies as well as his skills as a woodworker,
Ikard has developed experience in a wide range of specialties. Ikard has earned a MFA in Multidisciplinary art from
the Mount Royal School of Art at Maryland Institute College of Art and received his BFA in Studio Art from Sam Houston
State University. Ikard has lead instructional workshops and lectures in wood shop safety, Arduino, Raspberry Pi,
3D printing, digital fabrication, and computer programing.

Language Arts Teacher

Nicole Taylor

Teacher

Dr. Nicole Taylor holds a Doctorate degree in English from Howard University and is a specialist in Communications. She has
over 20 years of experience teaching English, Writing, and Public Speaking, among many other courses, to both college
and grade level students.

Dr. Taylor believes that thorough preparation for success via education and exploration is key to unlocking the possibilities
to students' futures.

She is excited to be returning to Washington Cathay to instruct its dynamic students in a variety of Communications courses.

Chinese Program

Diana Wobus

CHINESE PROGRAM MANAGER

Qian Ning

CHINESE PROGRAM ASSISTANT MANAGER

Sasha Deng

CHINESE TEACHER

Dance Program

Anton Nguyen

DANCE TEACHER

Anton Nguyen is a street dance/urban dance practitioner from the DMV area. Beginning his studies in college, he's had the privilege and opportunity to train with some of the best locally, regionally, and internationally. Starting on UMBC's collegiate Hip-Hop dance troupe, Major Definition, Anton has served as principal dancer, competition winning choreographer, Captain, and Artistic Director. During the interim, he has trained with regional and international street dance pioneers/veterans, joined other dance groups such as Baltimore's Regulators Crew and Culture Shock DC (Alumni), participated in commissioned dance projects, taught large community workshops, and made a name for himself in the DMV street dance scene.

As of today, Anton reps his home crew, Regulators, as he continues solo to perfect his craft while traveling the world to seek new knowledge, training, and perspectives. He is passionate about passing down all he has gathered to the younger generation as authentically and true to the culture as it was to him. Though arguably a late dancer, Anton believes it is your why that will push you to surpass your circumstances and become the person you want to be.

Multi-Theme Teacher

Nadege Brooks

Teacher

Nadege Brooks is a certified teacher with Montgomery County Public Schools. She has been teaching for over 10 years. She
is an alumna of the University of Maryland College Park with a BA in Government and Politics (Political Science),
and a BA in French with a minor in kinesiology. Nadege is also certified in French, Political Science and ESOL. Nadege
loves teaching and learning new things, when she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening,
working out, camping, hiking and anything that involves the outdoors.

Hui Zhuang

Teacher

Zhuang Hui began her martial arts training ， in china ， when she was nine years old and was quickly recruited to attend
the Beijing Sports School. She went to be selected to compete as a member of the Beijing Wushu team, widely renewed
as the best martial artists in the world, where she trained with other stars， including Jet Li. During her career
she has traveled throughout the world, competitions. She has won the gold medal as the Asian Olympic Games, 4 gold
medals in the Asian Wushu Championships and is the five time Women`s All-Around Champion of China.

Erin Holmes

Teacher

Erin Holmes is a ceramicist from the DC area. She has had a passion for visual arts all her life and finds that the best
way for her to express this passion is though the ceramic medium. After graduating from University of Miami with
a Bachelors in Fine Arts; focus in ceramics and art history, she went on to pursue a career of teaching the craft
to all ages while also creating her own line of work for galleries and sales. After a few years of experience she
is still currently and happily walking this career path and has gained exceptional knowledge of teaching ceramic
art.

Mary

Teacher

Mary Palazzolo have worked in education for more than ten years as a teacher, tutor, daycare provider, and nanny. She currently
teaches English Language Arts to middle school students in Prince George's County and hold a Master's degree as well
as state certification in elementary education and reading instruction. In addition to reading and writing, Mary
is passionate about cooking (and eating!), and she enjoys sharing that passion with others - especially young people.
She has created an after-school cooking program for her students and is excited to bring that experience to your
child's time with us this summer!"

Patrick Strella

CHESS Teacher

Patrick has his degree in Business Administration and Sport’s Science. He has been playing chess since he was six years old and have won tournaments in New York and Maryland. Also, he achieved his highest title competing in the Mid Atlantic tennis competition as well as many of Montgomery County Tournaments in Gaithersburg, Rockville and Olney. Patrick is a USCF trainer and have 15 + year of experience in teaching chess and tennis publically and privately. He instituted a specialized coaching program that led many students to become champions in the Montgomery County Chess Tournaments. Learning chess is more than a game, it will help develop skills used in many aspects of life. These skills directly correlate with the success of problem solving in life.

Bryan Foo

MATH Teacher

Bryan Foo is a 10th grader at the prestigious SMCS program at Poolesville High School. He is a veteran mathlete who has won honorable mention in the UMD Math Competition, is a qualifier for the AIME competition, and was in the State MATHCOUNTS 2nd place Team. Bryan has gotten top 3 in state and top 10 in nation the Math Kangaroo competition almost every year, and currently is a USA Computing Olympiad Gold division participant.

Bryan also had the initiative to start and teach a math competitions class at Hope Chinese School. The class has been a huge success, giving the class a great reputation, both among parents and students. His students even won several awards in the Montgomery Blair Math Tournament. He is also a seasoned tutor for the Math Olympiad at the Lead 4 Future organization.

Besides math, Bryan also loves to write. His online web serial book has received thousands of views and dozens of likes from readers around the world. He has also edited and published for a school magazine, and published five books on his own.

Vincent Bian

MATH Teacher

Vincent Bian is a 10th grader in the Science, Math, and Computer Science magnet program at Poolesville High School. He is an experienced mathlete that has won many national level competitions.

Math Kangaroo contest was the first math competition that Vincent participated in 3rd grade. Since then, he was placed top 10 nationally almost every year. He got gold medals with perfect scores for the past 3 consecutive years, and was invited to the all-expense-paid international Math Kangaroo summer camp in Poland in 2016.
In middle school, Vincent has participated state MathCounts all 3 years. In 8th grade, he was chosen as one of the 4 members of the Maryland MathCounts team, which got 2nd place in National MathCounts that year. Vincent was also a major player of Roberto Clemente Science Bowl team which win 2nd place in the national final in 2015.
In the American Math Competition (AMC) series contest, Vincent qualified for the American Invitational Math Exam (AIME, top 5000 students) since 6th grade, and qualified for the USA Junior Math Olympiad (USAJMO, top ~500 students) since 8th grade. He is a USAJMO winner in 2017 with a perfect score, and was invited to attend the Math Olympiad Program (MOP, top ~50 students). MOP is the most prestigious math camp in the USA with the goal of training and selecting the USA math team for the International Math Olympiad.

In high school, Vincent won top 10 individual awards from many college-held math competitions, e.g. UMD Math Competition, Harvard-MIT Math Tournament, Princeton University Math Competition, John Hopkins Math Tournament, Carnegie Mellon Informatics and Mathematics Competition. Among these, his 3rd place winning of UMD math competition provides him a full-ride scholarship to UMD if and when he chooses to attend UMD after high school graduation. Besides math, Vincent is also a bronze medal winner of USA Physics Olympiad and a Platinum division participant in USA Computing Olympiad.

To help younger students to enjoy the beauty of math, Vincent has also volunteered to teach math competition to middle school students at Hope Chinese School for the past two years.

This page is currently in reconstruction. We will be updating this page with the latest teacher information soon. (IT Intern: Mingjie Jiang)